The New American Academy Charter School

Minutes

TNAACS Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday July 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Directors Present

C. C​uellar-Lezcano (remote), D. Dula (remote), H. Hunt (remote), V. McDonald (remote)

Directors Absent

C. Kelly, F. Monrose

Guests Present

J. Trani (remote), L. Parquette Silva

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

C. C​uellar-Lezcano called a meeting of the board of directors of The New American Academy Charter School to order on Thursday Jul 23, 2026 at 5:39 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

H. Hunt made a motion to approve the minutes from TNAACS Board Meeting on 06-18-26.
C. C​uellar-Lezcano seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Finance & Data

A.

Monthly Financials and The TNAACS Budget for 2026/2027

Elaine Schmiedshoff  shared the monthly financials for June 2026. This was the last report for the current fiscal year. TNAACS currently has 90 days of cash on hand. The final enrollment number was 247.5. Elaine reported that TNAACS ends the year in the positive and is in a very positive financial position overall. Elaine confirmed there will be no Monthly Finacials for the month of August and the auditors are scheduled to share the results of this year's audit during the September board meeting. 

B.

Underdog Strategies Contract

H. Hunt made a motion to Approve contract to continue working with Underdog Strategies.
D. Dula seconded the motion.

Jenny Trani shared data from the work Underdog Strategies has dne for TNAACS, with a focus on Underdog leads and conversions. Our goal is to continue contracting with Underdog, who provides teams of personnel to canvass at various events and can support Kori Tatum when she is attending events that are recruiting opportunities. She emphasized they are trained and are strong at engaging with the public. 

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

TNAACS Data Share

Jenny Trani reviewed updates on TAACS enrollment data for the 2026/2027 school year. She shared that at this time of year enrollment is a moving target with several unknowns, but we are working to make our best projections based on past and current enrollment trends. 

 

As of now we have 39 completed registrations , 26 registrations in process and 4 verified registrations. We have had 88 viable applicants. An applicant is considered viable when there is potential for them to actually convert into a student in the building, vs. applicant who we anticipate will not convert, for example, a candidate that lives in the Bronx. We are currently projecting an enrollment of 254 students, based on returning families and registrations. Our current budget is based on an enrollment of 262 students.

 

Jenny reminded the board that just because a family completes registration does not mean they will come and just because a family has not yet completed registration does not mean they will not come. 

 

Jenny shared the various marketing resources being used, including Underdog canvassing, flyering and mailings, word of mouth, local daycare and childcare centers, the internet and social media. She also shared that July is traditionally a slow month and we are hoping to seed a jump in enrollment by the end of August 

III. Governance

A.

Academic Excellence Committee

The Academic Excellence Committee Reported they had not met during July.

IV. Other

A.

Board Professional Development Resources

Lisa shared Board On Track PD opportunities.

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:40 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
L. Parquette Silva
Documents used during the meeting
None